Hi!

Attached in this document is a compilation of online resources we have found

useful through our years of secondary education, together with our study guide on
how to utilise our notes and revise effectively. Additionally, we will also be listing
down some studying techniques we have personally utilised along with how you
can implement them successfully into your studies.

This document will be curated regularly to include the latest resources we come
across and a complimentary copy will be made available to previous customers
without exception via our Carousell DMs! We wish you all the best in your studies
and our communication channels are always open to any queries :)

- Cactusnotes
Contact: kektwos@gmail.com
carousell.sg/u/cactusnotes/

[Last updated: October 2021]

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The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Studying Chemistry
This study guide encompasses the guiding principles behind how we (the creators
of cactusnotes) approached the study of Chemistry and it reflects our personal
views on how best to maximise the ratio between studying time and marks scored.
However, these techniques may not be the most effective for everyone and as such,
we recommend you use the following as a reference template for further adaptation
and refinement to meet your own learning needs. Cutting to the chase, let’s begin!

Step 1: Understanding
After going through the readings provided by the school and your newly-acquired
cactusnotes :D, it’s now time to make your own notes!

● Clarify any existing doubts with your teachers, or utilise free online resources
○ YouTube has many channels with engaging videos on Chemistry
(Refer to Annex)
○ To revise for practicals, there are plenty of online videos too!
● To test yourself, see if you are able to explain a particular concept to an
imaginary three year old (it could be your parents or siblings!)
○ If you are able to explain a complex process (for instance, sacrificial
protection) to someone completely unfamiliar, it is safe to say you
understand a topic!

Step 2: Memorisation
After step 1, you should have a clear mental picture of the different topics, as well
as how some concepts are built upon previous ones (such as redox being the basis
for electrolysis). Unfortunately, now comes the step we all dread...

● Utilise flashcards to aid spaced repetition for effective memorisation

○ At this step, take extra care to make sure that the flashcards you are
using are correct! You don’t want to find out later that the facts you
have burnt into your memory are inaccurate! (speaking from
experience…)

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 ⭐Recommended Software!
❖ Anki [Free offline desktop & android app, with paid iOS app]
➢ Recommended for effective long-term memory work due to their
excellent spaced repetition software
➢ Pre-made flashcard decks by other users available at
https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks/
❖ Quizlet [Free online account on all platforms]
➢ User interface is more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing as compared
to Anki
➢ Pre-made flashcard decks by other users available at
https://quizlet.com/browse-sets

● Condensing information in our notes

○ Without referring to our notes / other resources, try to summarise each
topic in the most succinct manner using your own words
○ This not only ensures you understand each topic, but also helps with
memorising the necessary content
○ Remember certain keywords for different topics!
■ On top of what we have bolded, utilise the answer keys from
practices to identify keywords you must use in your answers,
especially in explanation questions.

Step 3: Practise! Practise! Practise!

After memorising, it’s time to practise!

● Doing timed-practice on some practice papers (Refer to Annex)

○ It is especially important that you do these timed, preferably in a quiet
and conducive (no music!) environment so as to get used to attempting
questions under time pressure. We hope you never have to experience
the fear of blanking out in a test...
● Discuss with your friends
○ Studying with friends is always more fun!
○ If it bores you to constantly do practice papers, you can screen share
MCQ / structured questions and quiz your friends over Zoom/Discord,
competition-style!

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Step 4: Reflect and Refine
● After any in-school practices or tests, always analyse the error you have
made in previous practices and compile them into a document
○ Revise this document right before your exams, so you do not repeat
the same mistakes!
○ Do this with your friends so you can learn from each other’s mistakes!

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Annex
Recommended Youtube Channels
● Khan Academy:
https://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy
● Crash Course:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSyAehMdpyI&list=PLG61LF8I_OXoh2m
hx2YNY9s4ekXiriMAf
● The Organic Chemistry Tutor:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEWpbFLzoYGPfuWUMFPSaoA
● Tyler DeWitt:
https://www.youtube.com/user/tdewitt451/videos
● Ng Kai Ling’s Titration Guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU6ozDDlMTE&list=PL361826C9EF702
762
● SGCityCollege (Practical / Theory):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtOYIm0OBro (this is only one of the
many videos created for practical)

Practice Papers
● https://www.testpapersfree.com/secondary/pure-chemistry/
● https://smiletutor.sg/free-test-papers-download/secondary-school-exam-pa
pers/
○ Scroll down to Secondary 4 for chemistry papers
● NYGH Practice Worksheets:
https://chemist.sg/

Learning How to Study Better

We have included the following link which we recommend any aspiring students to
watch in their free time :) Through this playlist, you can learn more about
techniques like spaced repetition and memory recall, and also how our brain works.

● Ali Abdaal’s Evidence-Based Study Tips’ Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-zNHHpXoMM&list=PL7BImOT2srcGC
CjBBwNvU5zaB9F30lWye